Inspectable-corrosion resistant electrical connector

ABSTRACT

An electrical connection employing connector means comprising a crimpable wire receiving portion having a selectively beveled end terminating in a sharp inner edge for severing a portion of a conductor end which may extend beyond the end of the wire receiving portion from the remainder of the conductor portion crimped therewithin, and engaging the adjacent connector means surface to provide a seal thereat, thus avoiding a bimetallic couple where dissimilar metals are present, and protecting the enclosed portion of the conductor from environmental and electrochemical attack at the severed end. The wire receiving portion may be selectively notched to provide inspection means for observing the extent of insertion of the conductor portion therewithin, and may be formed in either a generally U-shaped or cylindrically shaped configuration, further comprising grip means adjacent the entrance end to provide additional sealing and support thereat.

United States Patent [191 Kuo [ INSPECTABLE-CORROSION RESISTANT ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Lai Che Kuo, Fanwood, NJ.

[73] Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation,

Elizabeth, NJ.

22 Filed: on. 25, 1972 211 App]. No.: 300,760

[75] Inventor:

Primary ExaminerGeo. V. Larkin Attorney, Agent, or Firm-David Teschner; Jesse Woldman [451 Apr. 16, 1974 5 7] ABSTRACT An electrical connection employing connector means comprising a crimpable wire receiving portion having a selectively beveled end terminating in a sharp inner edge for severing a portion of a conductor end which may extend beyond the end of the wire receiving portion from the remainder of the conductor portion crimped therewithin, and engaging the adjacent connector means surface to provide a seal thereat, thus avoiding a bimetallic couple where dissimilar metals are present, and protecting the enclosed portion of the conductor from environmental and electrochemical attack at the severed end. The wire receiving portion may be selectively notched to provide inspection means for observing the extent of insertion of the conductor portion therewithin, and may be formed in ei ther a generally U-shaped or cylindrically shaped configuration, further comprising grip means adjacent the entrance end to provide additional sealing and support thereat.

12 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 1 W4 3.805221 sum 3 or 3 FIG. 14

INSPECTABLE-CORROSION RESISTANT ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention is directed to the field of terminating devices and principally to a means and method for providing an inspectable, corrosion resistant electrical connection.

2. Description of the Prior Art There has been a great need for providing a means and method for insuring a relatively permanent, lowresistance connection between a connector or terminal and the conductor attached thereto especially useful in those applications where adverse environmental conditions tend to provide a medium conducive to the formation of either oxide films or destructive electrolytic corrosion between the adjacent surfaces of the connector and. the conductor. Prior art attempts to provide a sealed connection include, for example, the utilization of a closed end ferrule as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,010,184 issued to Forney, Jr. On Nov, 28, 1961, which disclosure also illustrates the employment. of a window-like recess for observing the position of the conductors inserted therewithin. The closed-end ferrule, although providing a sealed end, lacks the means for visually determining the extent of insertion of the conductor within the ferrule portion of the connector and the integrity of the connection made thereto. The latter embodiment employing the window-like recess, although providing visual observation, requires the use of a discrete and separate insulating sleeve or sheath over the metallic portion of the connector to insure an adequate seal. Other examples of devices designed to provide a sealed connection are shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,729,695, issued to Pierce on January 3,

1956; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,692,422 issued to Pierce on Oct. 26, 1954. In the latter disclosure a varying crimping pressure is employed to provide a relatively tight seal about one end of the conductor inserted within the connector and a somewhat looser crimp about the remaining portion of the inserted conductor. In this case a portion of the conductor is required to extend beyond the ferrule portion of the connector to provide engagement between the inner surface of the ferrule and the conductor. Although this arrangement may provide a measure of moisture protection, the connection is readily susceptible to corrosive attack and eventual deterioration where the conductor and connector are formed from dissimilar metals and the resulting layered ar- SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention overcomes the difficulties and limitations noted above with respect to prior art devices by providing a method of forming an inspectable corrosion resistant electrical connection and connecting means therefor which is simpler, more reliable, and less expensive than such prior art devices. The invention comprises a base member formed to provide a wire recieving portion and may further include a tongue portion extending therefrom, the tongue portion being adapted to provide attaching means whereby the instant device may be coupled to a further member such as a terminal board, bus bar, or like conductive member. The wire receiving portion, which may have either a cylindrical or U-shaped cross-section, is adapted to be selectively crimped about the bared end of a conductor, inserted therein. The device is adapted preferably for use with stranded conductor although a suitable connection may be made to solid conductor in like manner. The end of the wire receiving portion remote from the entrance end thereof is provided with a terminating surface planarly disposed in oblique angular relationship with an axis normal to the longitudinal axis of the wire receiving portion, the terminating surface communicating with the inner surface of the wire receiving portion at a sharp edge to provide a severing means thereat. The obliquely angled terminating surface is further provided with a notched portion similarly defined by a terminating surface which, in the case of the U-shaped wire receiving portion, comprises two edges so aligned as to abut one another upon the crimping of the U-shaped wire receiving portion about a conductor disposed therewithin, providing additional severing means thereat. Thus, to effect a corrosion resistant seal about the conductor disposed within the wire receiving portion of the connector, a suitably directed, predetermined crimping'pressure is applied to the wire receiving portion so as to cause the severing edge to contact and sever the extending portion of the conductor from the remainder enclosed within the wire receiving portion, or at least to sever the exposed portion of the conductor end extending within the selectively formed notched portion, while additionally urging the severing edge of the wire receiving portion into intimate contact with the adjacent base member surface. The remainder of the length of the wire receiving portion, is subjected to a somewhat reduced crimping pressure s ufficient to cause secure electrical and mechanical engagement between the inner surface of the wire receiving portion and the enclosed conductor portion including the insulated portion of the conductor extending within the wire receiving portion, to provide an additional seal at the entrance end thereof. The severed segments of the conductor lying within the notched portion of the wire receiving portion of the connector means may thus be readily observed, and the extent of the insertion of the conductor and its relative positioning, with respect to the end of the wire receiving portion readily determined. Additionally, by completely severing that portion of the conductor extending beyond the wire receiving portion from the remainder thereof and providing intimate metal to metal contact between the severing edge of the wire receiving portion and the adjacent surface of the base member, there is provided an effective moisture and corrosion resistant assembly which has the additional advantage of being immune to electrolytic attack where the connector means and the conductor are formed from dissimilar metals, which may include aluminum conductors and copper alloy connectors. The obliquely angled terminating surface of the wire receiving portion may be planarly oriented in such manner as to be directed toward or away from the entrance end of such portion, either arrangement being equally effective to provide the necessary severing action. It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved method of forming an electrical connection and connector means therefore.

It is another object of this invention to provide a method of forming a corrosion resistant electrical connection.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a method of forming an inspectable electrical connection.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide connector means for establishing a corrosion resistant electrical connection.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide connector means for establishing an inspectable electrical connection.

It is yet a further object of this invention to provide a method of crimping a wire receiving portion about a bared conductor portion inserted therewithin so as to provide a moisture and corrosion resistant electrical connection.

It is another object of this invention to provide connector means having a wire receiving portion having severing means adjacent one end thereof.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a method of and means for establishing an inspectable, corrosion resistant electrical connection between dissimilar metals.

Other objects and features of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which disclose by way of example the principal of the invention and the best mode contemplated for carrying it out.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the Drawings:

FIG. 1 is a cut-away perspective view, partly in section, of connector means constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention, and installed about the end of a conductor.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, in section, of the installed connector means of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view, partly in section, of the wire receiving portion of the device of FIG. l'prior to the selective deformation thereof.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view partly in section, of a further embodiment of the wire receiving portion of a connector means constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view, in section, of the device of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view, in section, of a further embodiment of the wire receiving portion of a connector means constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view, partly in section, of another embodiment of the wire receiving portion of a connector means constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view, partly in section, of the device of FIG. 7 crimped about the bared end of a stranded conductor.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a die set for selectively deforming the wire receiving portion of a connector means constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the die set of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view, partly in section, of still a further embodiment of the wire receiving portion of a connecting means constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view, partly in section, of still another embodiment of the wire receiving portion of a connector means constructed in the accordance with the concepts of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view, partly in section, of the device of FIG. 12 crimped about the bared end of a stranded conductor disposed therewithin.

FIG. 14 is a cut-away fragmentary top plan view, partly in section, of a further embodiment of the wire receiving portion of a connector means constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention, and installed about a conductor end.

FIG. 15 is a cut-away fragmentary perspective view, partly in section, of a further embodiment of the wire receiving portion of connector means constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention, illustrating the inclusion of grip means therewith.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view, partly in section, of still another embodiment of the wire receiving portion of connector means constructed in accordance with'the concepts of the invention, further illustrating the inclusion of grip means therewith.

Similar elements are given similar reference characters in each of the respective drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Turning now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 there is shown a connector means 20 constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention. Connector means 20 comprises a base member 22 having a wire receiving portion 24 and a tongue portion 26 coupled thereto. Tongue portion 26, although shown as terminating in an enlarged apertured end 28, may of course be varied or modified to provide other commonly employed configurations such as a spade, forked-tongue, or resilient receptacle or tab arranged for cooperable engagement with a further suitable member. The base member 22 may be formed of copper, brass, aluminum, or other conventionally employed electrically conducting material in almost any desired hardness commensurate with the application and the specific properties of the materials being employed. For example, where the base member 22 is formed or manufactured from brass stock, a suitable connecting means may be formed from quarter, half, or three quarter hard stock, where necessary or desirable. Although the wire receiving portion 24 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 is shown as generally U-shaped, such wire receiving portion may be formed as a generally cylindrical portion as at 30 in FIG. 11 and may further comprise a reduced diameter portion as at 32 in FIG. 12. As illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 3, the wire receiving portion 24 of connector means 20 comprises a pair of upstanding walls 34, 34' and associated first end portions 36, 36 and second end portions 38, 38 respectively. The first end portions 36, 36' are each at least partly defined by a terminating surface 40, 40', respectively, which is planarly disposed at a generally oblique angle with respect to an axis normal to the longitudinal axis of the wire receiving portion 24. Wire receiving portion 24 further comprises an inner surface 42 communicating with each of the respective terminating surfaces 40, 40 at an associated relatively sharp first edge 44, 44', providing shearing edges thereat, the employment of which will be more fully described hereinafter. Although a relatively shallow angle in the order of from approximately 2 to 20 between the terminating surfaces 40, 40 and an axis normal. to the longitudinal axis of the wire receiving portion 24 has been found to be adequate to provide an effective shearing edge, a greater angle may be readily employed, where necessary or desirable, provided, however, that the shearing edge is not unduly weakened by forming too sharp an angle thereat. The upstanding walls 34, 34 of wire receiving'portion 24 each terminate in a free end 46, 46' which ends are arranged to abut one another in tight engagement upon the closure of the wire receiving portion 24 about a conductor disposed therewithin, as shown in FIG. 1 extending between the free ends 46, 46' and the first ends 36, 36' are notched portions 48, 48 each defined by a generally obliquely angled surface 50, 50'communicating with the inner surface 42 of wire receiving portion 24 to provide additional shearing edges 52, 52' along the line of communication thereof. A typical application employing connector means to effect an inspectable, corrosion-resistant connection is shown in FIG. 1. One end of a stranded conductor 54 having an insulative covering 56 is stripped so as to expose an uninsulated selective portion thereof having a length slightly less than the lengthof the wire receiving portion 24 of connector means 20. The stripped end of the conduc tor 54 is then placed between the upstanding walls 34, 34' of they connector means 20 in such manner that a portion of the stripped end of conductor 54 extends at least beyond the notched portion 48, 48' and a short length of the insulated portion of conductor 54 extends within the second or entrance end 38, 38' of connector means 20. The side walls 34, 34 of the wire receiving portion 24 are then subjected to a predetermined crimping force which may be applied by the employment of a die set such as 58 illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. The crimping pressure is applied in such manner as to exert a substantially greater force adjacent thefirst end 36, 36 of the wire receiving portion 24 than is exerted along the remaining length thereof to provide a configuration substantially as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The severing edges 44, 44 and 52, 52' are thus caused to bear upon and sever the bared conductor ends 60 extending therebeyond and intimately contact the adjacent surface of the base member 22 as may be more clearly seen in FIG. 2. The severed ends 60 of the conductor 54 are thus completely isolated from the remaining portion of the conductor 54 engaged within the wire receiving portion 24 of connector means 20 but are, however, readily observable for inspection. It will of course be readily appreciated that the ends 60 of conductor 54 not extend beyond the severing edges 44, 44 but may in fact, merely extend up to and slightly beyond the severing edges 52, 52' of the notched portion 48, 48 to insure a reliable electrical and mechanical connection. In this case, the severed portions of the conductor ends 60 are encompassed by, and may be conveniently observed within the area bordered by the notch portion 48, 48. The resulting connection thus provides a seal impervious both to moisture and to electrolytic corrosive attack. The terminating surfaces 40, 40' and the notched portion surfaces 50, 50', although shown as obliquely angled generally from the outer surface of the wire receiving portion toward the inner surface 42 thereof toward the first end of the wire receiving portion 24, may be planarly disposed in the opposite direction, as shown for example, in FIG. 6 at 62 while still providing the severing and sealing action heretofore described. In the latter case, however, a relatively narrow pocket-like groove is formed between the terminating surface and the adjacent base member surface within which the severed ends 60 may be conveniently restrained.

Turning now to FIGS. 4 and 5 there are shown fragmentary views of a further embodiment of a connector means 64 constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention. Connector means 64 comprises a wire receiving portion 66 having a notched portion 68, 68' adjacent its first end 70, the notched portion 68, 68' differing however from the notched portion 48,48 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 in that, instead of the open V-shaped configuration illustrated in the latter figures, the obliquely angled surfaces forming the walls of the notchedportion 68, 68 terminate at sharp edges arranged to abut one another upon selective closure of the wire receiving portion 66, providing a convenient recess for the severed conductor ends 60 while affording a complete seal thereat in a manner similar to that described above with respect to connector means 20.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8 there is shown a further embodiment of a wire receiving portion 72 of a connector means 74 constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention. In this embodiment there is provided a generally bevelled portion 76, 76 disposed interrnediate the length of each of the free ends 78, 78 respectively, of the wire receiving portion 72. Portions 76, 76 are aligned for mating juxtaposition upon selective closure of the wire receiving portion 72, wherein, the inner edges 80, 80' of the portions 76, 76 abut one another to provide severing means thereat in a manner similar to that indicated above with respect to portion 68, 68, thus advantageously providing inspectability ata given position remote from the terminating end of the wire receiving portion 72. It will of course be readily appreciated that the wire receiving portion 72 may further include a notched portion such as 48, 48 to provide additional observing means, where necessary or desirable. Additionally, further bevelled portions such as 76, 76 may be provided along the length of the free ends 78, 78 without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the concepts herein disclosed. It will also be further appreciated that the tongue portion of the instant device may be eliminated and the resulting structure employed as a splice connector or the like to effect a connection between two or more conductors inserted within the wire receiving portion thereof.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, there is shown a die set 58 which may be conveniently employed to provide selective closure of the wire receiving portion of the instant device. The die set 58 comprises an upper mem ber 82, and a lower member 84 disposed in sliding relationship therewith. Upper member 82 comprises a die chamber 85 partially defined by a selectively contoured interior surface 86 extending longitudinally from a forward portion 88 of die member 82 to a rear portion 90 thereof. The surface 86 is configured to provide regions 87, 89 planarly offset one from the other, region 87 extending further into the die chamber 85 than region 89. Thus, upon the proper placement of a connector means such as 20 between die members 82 and 84, as illustrated, and the movement of the die members 82 and 84 towards one another in the direction generally indicated by arrows 92 and 94, the upstanding walls 34, 34' of the wire receiving portion 24 of connector means 20 are folded inwardly against that portion of conductor 54 situated therewithin. As the die members 82 and 84 are further advanced towards one another region 87 of the interior surface 86 compresses the first end 36, 36' of the wire receiving portion 24 adjacent its first end 36, 36' to a greater degree than the region 89 compresses the remainder of the length thereof, thus effecting an assembly substantially as illustrated in FIG. 1. The sidewalls of die member 82 provide restraining surfaces preventing the wire receiving portion 24 from expanding laterally during compression. The extent of travel of the die members 82 and 84 may be readily governed to insure that the severing edges 44 and 44 of the connector means wire receiving portion 24 completely sever the conductor ends 60 extending therebeyond and intimately contact the adjacent surface of the base member 22. It will of course be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the stepped surface 86 of die member 82 may be selectively altered or modified to provide further stepped regions or other continuous or discontinuous surface patterns to effect a similar result, commensurate with the shape of wire receiving portion employed and the particular deformation desired.

Turning now to FIGS. 11 and 12 there is shown a cylindrical wire receiving portion 30 and a tapered cylindrical wire receiving portion 32, each having a notched portion 96, 98, respectively, adjacent the first end 100, 102, respectively, constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention. The portions 30 and 32 each comprise an obliquely angled terminating surface 104, 106, respectively, communicating with the inner surface of the respective wire receiving portions to provide severing edges 110, 112, respectively, essentially as heretofore described and shown. Either of the portions 30 or 32 may be com'pressively deformed, as illustrated in FIG. 13, to provide a crimped assembly substantially as shown and in which the walls defining notched portions 96 or 98 are urged into substantially abutting relationship. In this case, the severed conductor ends 60 are held securely between the opposing faces of the terminating surface, permitting a relatively high degree of manipulation of the connecting means without loss of the ends 60.

In FIG. 14 there is illustrated a wire receiving portion 113 having notched portion 114 formed to provide a partial enclosure 116 within which the severed conductor ends 60 may be at least partially enclosed after the crimping operation. It should be noted that although the bated ends of conductor 54 terminate short of the end of wire receiving portion 113, a secure moisture and corrosion resistant connection may still be provided, nevertheless, where the notched portion 114 is so located as to insure that any extension of the conductor ends at least within the area encompassed by the notched portion 114 is indicative of sufficient insertion within the wire receiving portion 113.

Both the U-shaped and cylindrically shaped wire receiving portions described heretofore may be provided with gripping means 118 and 120 adjacent the entry thereof as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. and 16, respectively. The gripping means 118 or 120 comprise a series of selectively form ed protrusions which may be arranged in a preselected pattern to partially penetrate and engage the insulated portion of a conductor inserted within the wire receiving portion of the connector means. This arrangement may be found advantageous where it is desired to provide additional strain relief at the entrance end of the connector means wire receiving portion while maintaining a moisture-proof seal thereat.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 1

l. Connector means comprising: a base member having a tongue portion and a wire receiving portion; said wire receiving portion having an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end portion and a second end portion; said first end portion having a terminating surface the plane of which is disposed in oblique angular relationship with an axis normal to the longitudinal axis of said wire receiving portion; said first end portion terminating surface communicating with said wire receiving portion inner surface at a sharp first edge providing first shearing means thereat, said terminating surface further comprising a selectively contoured notched portion therein,'said notched portion having a terminating surface the plane of which is disposed in oblique angular relationship with an axis normal to the longitudinal axis of said wire receiving portion, said notched portion terminating surface communicating with said wire receiving portion inner surface at a sharp second edge providing second shearing means thereat, said notched portion further providing inspection means, said wire receiving portion being selectively deformable about a conductor selectively positioned therewithin, said first and said second shearing means being arranged to fully sever the conductor portion extending beyond said first and said second shearing means and intimately contact the adjacent base member surface upon the application of a given directed pressure adjacent said wire receiving portion first end, the severed conductor portion being at least partially restrained within the area encompassed by said notched portion and readily observable thereat.

2. Connector means as defined in claim 1 wherein said wire receiving portion is generally cylindrical.

3. Connector means as defined in claim 2 wherein a selective length of said wire receiving portion adjacent said first end portion thereof has an internal diameter less than the internal diameter of the remaining length of said wire receiving portion.

4. Connector means as defined in claim 2 further comprising grip means adjacent said second end portion of said wire receiving portion.

5. Connector means as defined in claim 1 wherein said wire receiving portion is generally U-shaped.

6. Connector means as defined in claim 5 further comprising grip means adjacent said second end portion of said wire receiving portion.

7. Connector means as defined in claim 5 wherein the upstanding walls of said U-shaped wire receiving portion each terminate in a longitudinally extending free end, each of said free ends having an associated recessed portion disposed generally intermediate the length thereof, each of said recessed portions being at least partially defined by an inclined surface communicating with said wire receiving portion inner surface at a sharp edge, said recessed portion sharp edges being axially aligned for abutting communication with one another upon the selective closure of said wire receiving portion.

8. Connector means as defined in claim 1 wherein said first end portion terminating surface is planarly oriented longitudinally rearwardly from said outer surface of said wire receiving portion to said inner surface thereof toward said wire receiving portion second end portion.

9. Connector means as defined in claim 1 wherein said first end portion terminating surface is planarly oriented longitudinally forwardly from said wire receiving portion outer surface to said wire receiving portion inner surface toward said wire receiving portion first end portion.

10. Connector means as defined in claim 1 wherein said notched portion is generally V-shaped.

11. Connector means as defined in claim 1 wherein said notched portion is generally U-shaped.

l2. Connector means as defined in claim 1 wherein said wire receiving portion is generally Ushaped, said first end portion terminating surface being planarly oriented longitudinally forwardly from said wire receiving portion outer surface to said wire receiving portion inner surface toward said wire receiving portion first end, each of said upstanding walls of said U-shaped ferrule terminating in a free end, each of said free ends having an associated recessed portion disposed generally intermediate the length thereof, each of said recessed portions being at least partially defined by an inclined surface communicating with said wire receiving portion inner surface at a sharp edge, said recessed portion sharp edges being axially aligned for abutting communication with one another upon the selective closure of said wire receiving portion.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3, 05,221 Dated April 16, 1974 Inventor(s) Lai Che Kuo It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 5, line 50, after "54" insert need Signedaand sealed this 10th day of September 1974.

(SEAL) Afitest;

MCCOY GIBSQN, JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attestlng Officer Commissioner of Patents k FORM PC4050 (169) USCOMM-DC 60376-F269 US. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1 l9, 0-366-33 NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3, 05,221 Dated April 16, 1974 Inventor(s) Lai Che K110 It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 5, lineh50, after "54" insert need Signedaand sealed this 10th day of September 1974.

(SEAL) Aftest;

MCCOY M. GIBSON, JR. Attesting Officer C. MARSHALL DANN Commissioner of Patents uscoMM-Dc scam-e59 U. 5. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 2 I969 0-355-334 FORM PO-1OS0 (10-69) 

1. Connector means comprising: a base member having a tongue portion and a wire receiving portion; said wire receiving portion having an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end portion and a second end portion; said first end portion having a terminating surface the plane of which is disposed in oblique angular relationship with an axis normal to the longitudinal axis of said wire receiving portion; said first end portion terminating surface communicating with said wire receiving portion inner surface at a sharp first edge providing first shearing means thereat, said terminating surface further comprising a selectively contoured notched portion therein, said notched portion having a terminating surface the plane of which is disposed in oblique angular relationship with an axis normal to the longitudinal axis of said wire receiving portion, said notched portion terminating surface communicating with said wire receiving portion inner surface at a sharp second edge providing second shearing means thereat, said notched portion further providing inspection means, said wire receiving portion being selectively deformable about a conductor selectively positioned therewithin, said first and said second shearing means being arranged to fully sever the conductor portion extending beyond said first and said second shearing means and intimately contact the adjacent base member surface upon the application of a given directed pressure adjacent said wire receiving portion first end, the severed conductor portion being at least partially restrained within the area encompassed by said notched portion and readily observable thereat.
 2. Connector means as defined in claim 1 wherein said wire receiving portion is generally cylindrical.
 3. Connector means as defined in claim 2 wherein a selective length of said wire receiving portion adjacent said first end portion thereof has an internal diameter less than the internal diameter of the remaining length of said wire receiving portion.
 4. Connector means as Defined in claim 2 further comprising grip means adjacent said second end portion of said wire receiving portion.
 5. Connector means as defined in claim 1 wherein said wire receiving portion is generally U-shaped.
 6. Connector means as defined in claim 5 further comprising grip means adjacent said second end portion of said wire receiving portion.
 7. Connector means as defined in claim 5 wherein the upstanding walls of said U-shaped wire receiving portion each terminate in a longitudinally extending free end, each of said free ends having an associated recessed portion disposed generally intermediate the length thereof, each of said recessed portions being at least partially defined by an inclined surface communicating with said wire receiving portion inner surface at a sharp edge, said recessed portion sharp edges being axially aligned for abutting communication with one another upon the selective closure of said wire receiving portion.
 8. Connector means as defined in claim 1 wherein said first end portion terminating surface is planarly oriented longitudinally rearwardly from said outer surface of said wire receiving portion to said inner surface thereof toward said wire receiving portion second end portion.
 9. Connector means as defined in claim 1 wherein said first end portion terminating surface is planarly oriented longitudinally forwardly from said wire receiving portion outer surface to said wire receiving portion inner surface toward said wire receiving portion first end portion.
 10. Connector means as defined in claim 1 wherein said notched portion is generally V-shaped.
 11. Connector means as defined in claim 1 wherein said notched portion is generally U-shaped.
 12. Connector means as defined in claim 1 wherein said wire receiving portion is generally U-shaped, said first end portion terminating surface being planarly oriented longitudinally forwardly from said wire receiving portion outer surface to said wire receiving portion inner surface toward said wire receiving portion first end, each of said upstanding walls of said U-shaped ferrule terminating in a free end, each of said free ends having an associated recessed portion disposed generally intermediate the length thereof, each of said recessed portions being at least partially defined by an inclined surface communicating with said wire receiving portion inner surface at a sharp edge, said recessed portion sharp edges being axially aligned for abutting communication with one another upon the selective closure of said wire receiving portion. 